Journal of
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health

  • Abbreviation: J. Vet. Med. Anim. Health
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2529
  • DOI: 10.5897/JVMAH
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 413

Article in Press

Major Causes of Organ and Carcass Condemnation in Cattle Slaughtered at Bahir Dar Municipality Abattoir, North West Ethiopia

Chemere Ayenew1, AregaTafere*2, Ayichew Teshale2

  •  Received: 28 April 2018
  •  Accepted: 09 July 2018
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2010 to March 2011 in Bahir Dar municipality abattoir, Northwest Ethiopia to identify the major causes of organ and carcass condemnations and to estimate the direct economic losses. A total of 413 cattle were taken for antemortem and postmortem examination. During the antemortem examination of 413 cattle destined for slaughter, rough hair coat (2%) and tick infestation (0.2%) had the highest and the lowest prevalence rates, respectively. There were no a statistically significant difference observed (χ2= 4.5 p>0.05) between the two age categories and external abnormalities. Postmortem examination revealed that 379 (91.7%) livers, 116 (28%) lungs, 10 (2.4%) hearts, 9 (2.2%) kidneys, and 28 (6.7%) carcasses were rejected in both age categories due to various causes. Fasciolosis (64%), hydatidosis (24.6%), pericarditis (1.2%), hydronephrosis (0.5%), abscessation (0.7%) and bruising (2.9%) were found to be the major causes responsible for rejection. There was a statistically insignificant difference observed between the two age categories of cattle for all causes of liver (χ2 = 35.80; P> 0.05), kidney, carcass (χ2= 16.9; p> 0.05) and heart (χ2 =19.1; P>0.05) condemnation. However, there was statistically significant (χ2=63.2; P<0.05) for all causes of lung condemnation between the two age categories. However, there were no statistically significant difference detected between body condition scoring categories and causes of liver, lung, heart, kidney and carcass condemnations (χ2 =76.1, 35.0, 10.7, 11.0; p>0.05), respectively. The average annual economic losses was calculated and found 170, 676 ETB. This study revealed that fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the main causes for condemnation that lead to huge economic losses. Therefore, to alleviate these, the preventive measures should be carried out to reduce unnecessary financial losses encountered in the industry.

Keywords: Abattoir, Antemortem, Bahir Dar, Carcass, Cattle, Condemnation, Organ, Postmortem.